Improvement in combined watch-key, case-opener, and nail-cleaner



G. P. REED. Combined Watch-Key, Case-Openepand Nail-Gleaner.

No. 211,183. Pat ented Jan. 7, 1879-.

N PETERS. PHUTO-LITHDGRAPHER, WASHINGTON. D. G

UNITED STATES PATENT QFFIOE.

[GEORGE P. REED, OF MELROSE, MASSACHUSETTS.

IMPROVEMENT IN COMBINED WATCH-KEY, CASE-OPENER, AND NAIL-CLEANER.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent N0. 211,183, dated January '7, 1879 application filed September 23, 1878.

or handle of the instrument as a flat rectangular plate, forked at one end, as shown at a, and with its opposite end rounded and provided with an eye, I), to receive a ring, 0, by which the instrument may be suspended from a watch-chain.

The prongs or jaws a a of the stock A constitute springs, which clasp, with considerable pressure, the central portion or shank b of the combined key, opener, and nail-cleaner, such shank being pivoted between the ends of the jaws bya pin, a and having longitudinal grooves c c in its opposite sides to receive the adjacent edges g g of the jaws and prevent easy turning of the shank 1) upon its pivot and confine it more or less tightly to the handle when in use.

From one end of the shank b projects a watch-key, (I, while from its opposite end extends a blade, 0, suitable for cleaning or scraping finger-nails or opening the case of a watch.

The key d, as will be understood, is designed to wind a watch, while the blade 6 is designed for the double purpose, as before stated, of cleaning or scraping fingernails or opening the case of a watch, should the cover fit sufficiently tight to require other means than a thumb-nail to open it, as is frequently the case.

The length of theblade e is such that when turned inward its outer end shall be in close proximity to the end of the handle, in order to be protected by the latter.

By swiveling the shank in the handle, as stated, and providing the grooves c c to operate with the edges of the spring-jaws a at,

either the key or blade is readily available for use by turning the shank upon its pivot, and such shank is held sufficiently rigid in the handle to prevent its easily turning within the latter.

The bladeeis of peculiar shape, as will be seen by reference to the'drawings. It is practically in the shape of an-Indian tomahawk, its end or cutting-edge It being convex or crowning, and its sides, as they approach such cutting edge, widening out at angles, as shown at z' *5, thus providing sharp corners j j, which are very efiectual in cleaning finger-nails, while the edge h of the blade serves to scrape the nails or other objects.

The edge h ot' the blade also serves a very useful purpose in prying open the cover of a watch-case, and the instrument may be suspended from a watch-chain with good effect.

The pivot a should pass through the apex of the edges of the jaws and of the grooves c c, in order that the shank or stem 1) may be turned within the handle.

I claim- An instrument composed of a furcated handle and the key-barrel cl and blade 0, the shank of the combined barrel and blade being pivoted between the spring-jaws of the handle A, and the blade having the convex cuttingedge h and angular corners t t j j, as and for purposes stated.

GEORGE P. REED.

Witnesses F. Gnarls, L. A. OURrIs. 

